PHUKET : Thailand thrashed arch-rivals Malaysia 3-0 in their last preliminary round match yesterday to reach the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup.

Teerasil Dangda scored two goals and Sutee Suksomkit added another as Thailand topped Group B of the Southeast Asian championship at Surakul stadium.

The Thais, who had defeated Vietnam 2-0 and hammered Laos 6-0, maintain their perfect record. They completed the group phase unbeaten and without conceding a goal.

In the other Group B match last night, Vietnam beat Laos 4-0 to make it to the last four.

In the two-leg semi-finals, Thailand meet Group A runners-up Indonesia, while defending champions and Group A winners Singapore take on Vietnam.

In a hot-tempered contest, it was Malaysia who created the first chance of the game when Indra Putra Mahayuddin turned in a swerving free kick which forced Thailand goalkeeper Kittisak Rawangpa to scramble for the save.

After that, it was relatively one-sided as the Thais, backed by some 15,000 screaming fans, pressed the Malaysians. Thailand, who only needed to avoid a heavy defeat to go through, had several scoring chances.